Trouble looms for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate, Movlid Khaybulaev, after he tested positive for a banned substance. On Wednesday, the United States Anti-Doping Agency brought the matter to light and revealed that the two-time PFL featherweight champion had tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) after officials conducted a test following his victory over Jesus Pinedo at PFL World Tournament 8 in August.

“Khaybulaev, 35, tested positive for rEPO as the result of an in-competition sample collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025. rEPO is prohibited at all times in the class of peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics under the PFL Anti-Doping Policy (ADP) and PFL Prohibited List,” USADA announced on Wednesday.

“Under Section 10.2 of the applicable version of the PFL ADP, the default period of ineligibility for the use of a prohibited substance is six months, but can be increased up to a year in certain circumstances. Here, Khaybulaev received the maximum one-year period of ineligibility because of the nature of the substance and the timing of his positive test.

“Khaybulaev’s one-year period of ineligibility began on August 1, 2025, the date his positive sample was collected.”

But it doesn’t end here.

It is not known yet if Khaybulaev’s win against Pinedo will be overturned. It is a possibility, but that decision rests with the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, which is where the fight took place.

While the near future will give more clarity on that aspect, what we do know currently is that the PFL has stripped him of his title.

“Pursuant to PFL rules and regulations, Khaybulaev has been disqualified from the 2025 PFL world tournament,” PFL officials wrote in a statement. “As a result of the disqualification under PFL rules, Khaybulaev forfeits the distinction of 2025 PFL featherweight tournament champion, the championship belt and all associated bonus awards.”

Regardless, after Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate popped for EPO, Conor McGregor’s media outlet, the MacLife, also shared the story on their social media platforms.

Conor McGregor’s teammate called out PFL Featherweight champion

McGregor is yet to react to the news, but his teammate and sparring partner, Brendan Loughnane, took the first chance he got to hit back at his former rival. After all, Khaybulaev had won the PFL featherweight title in 2021 after defeating Loughnane.

“This fight literally cost me millions of dollars. Lost a split decision to a known cheater. Sport is wild.” Loughnane wrote on X.

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They fought with $1 million prize money on the line, in which Loughnane lost via split decision in the tournament. But now, as Khaybulaev tested positive for a banned substance, Loughnane’s memory of losing that fight came back. He suspects Khabib’s teammate used EPO in their fight as well.

The British PFL fighter was part of Conor McGregor’s gym, SBG Ireland, for a long time, then changed to Manchester Predators and continued his fighting career.

Now, the former two-time featherweight PFL champion wasn’t the only one who faced punishment for using a banned substance. In 2023, the current lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, also received a suspension after he failed a drug test following his Bellator 300 win vs Brent Primus. As punishment, officials later changed the Dagestani’s win to a no-contest.

So, since officials punished Nurmagomedov with a no-contest, it remains to be seen whether Movlid Khaybulaev faces additional penalties. That said, what do you think the future holds for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate? Let us know in the comments section below.